Possible cannon unearthed beneath downtown Wilmington

WILMINGTON – What may be a centuries-old cannon has been found by construction crews in Wilmington.

Wes Horrell with Atlantic Construction tells local media outlets that he was digging with a machine Tuesday afternoon and pulled out a large metal piece from about seven feet underground in front of the Alton Lennon Federal Building.

Wilmington police spokeswoman Cathryn Lindsay says the bomb squad has called in experts from Fort Fisher’s archaeological society to examine the possible cannon. The experts will try to determine whether the cannon is still loaded with ammunition.

University of North Carolina at Wilmington professor Chris Fonvielle says the cannon appeared to be a Colonial or Revolutionary War-era cannon.